Sharks win spiteful clash in the capital

Cronulla will be confident going into their elimination final against North Queensland after dealing with the Raiders 38-18 in front of 7,615 fans at Canberra.

The final game of the regular season was one of contrasting fortunes with the Raiders looking to the end of a tumultuous 2013 while the Sharks were looking to secure fifth position to take on the Cowboys in an elimination final.

They rested five eighth Todd Carney and second-rower Anthony Tupou but they got off to the best possible start in the fourth minute. Sosaia Feki was on the end of a backline movement to silence the home fans.

Jeff Robson had taken a lead role in the absence of his usual halves partner but a shanked kick going out on the full gave Canberra their first try. David Shillington breaking a try scoring drought to level the score.

Sharks rode their fortune with their second try as a bomb was spilled by Bill Tupou allowed Luke Lewis to pop up and plant it down. Gordon taking over kicking duties converted and added a penalty goal to stretch the lead to eight.

A play ripped from the Storm playbook reduced the deficit to two right on the break. The halves combined to send livewire fullback Anthony Milford into the gap and his speed beat Michael Gordon to the tryline.

On a cold Sunday night in Canberra - the temperature was steadily rising in the game, as both forward packs came together several times. Canberra would crack first though when Sami Sauiluma was sin binned.

Jeff Robson wound back the clock with a solo effort prising open the defense for a four-pointer. The try didn't cool tensions as Ben Ross and Jarrod Croker were placed on report for incidents.

After the Raiders closed the gap to within two - it all fell apart for the home side. Brett White was put on report for a dangerous tackle and the Sharks blew them away.

Tyrone Peachey got both Sharks and Panthers fans on their feet after a solo run, beating five defenders to slide over the tryline. It was going to take something spectacular to beat that.

Maybe Bryce Gibbs breaking his eight year try-scoring drought to seal the game. The ball rebounded everywhere before the two props combined for Gibbs to fall over the line. Beau Ryan added the icing on the cake in the final minute after being positioned by Ben Pomeroy.

Cronulla will move on to Saturday afternoon football - hosting the 8th placed North Queensland in an elimination final. Canberra will be looking for a coach and answers to how 2013 went so wrong.

Welcome to Canberra Stadium for the final game in 2013. We have the Canberra Raiders who have had a tumultuous 2013 so will be looking to finish on a high. Cronulla on the other hand are gearing up for September and we will know the whole outlook of week one at 9pm.

TEAM CHANGES:

CAN: Only one change for the home side - Mitchell Cornish has had his debut blocked by the NRL due to second tier salary cap, so Sam Williams will play halfback.